Martin,
You’re right. Ever since World War 2, we (Americans) have been
secretly trying to undermine world communication by forcing everyone
to speak English and measure everything in the most difficult,
illogical, incomprehensible system you could ever imagine. It was
actually a part of the Marshall Plan to prepare Europe and the world
for the rise of the American Empire. We did pretty good with the
English but you guys sure are stubborn about that measurement stuff!
Jeez! Haven’t you seen “Star Trek-Next Generation”? “Resistance is
futile. You will be assimilated.” Please try to keep up with current
events.
Ummm…okay, just kidding ;} Seriously though, measurement systems
are more or less arbitrary human inventions that change form one
culture and epoch to another. The SI system seems like a standard
only because it is structured completely around a base 10 system.
Although it is the closest thing we have to a “world standard”, there
are many places other than the United States where other common or
archaic systems and terms are widely used. Did you know that the
distance between train rails is largely the result of the Romans
building their chariots to accomodate 2 horses? Their empire is long
gone but here we are moving millions of people and tons of products
around the world every day maintaining the spacing of 2 horse butts!
Where did these karats and penny weights and troy ounces come from?
Not from us backward, old-fashioned Americans. Celcius? Based on the
freezing point of water? Maybe that seems reasonable in northern
Europe, etc. But what if I live on the equator and I’ve never seen
water freeze? What about the Kelvin scale…based on the temperature
where molecular motion theoretically stops?
Okay, so I’m just trying to make this silly point and probably
over-reacted. Apologies if I stepped on any toes.
Ummm…now about that spelling and grammar… ;} Just kidding.
Best to all, Please hope for Peace.
Mike Dibble
Black Horse Design
www.black-horse-design.com